The Congo Diary - Joseph Conrad

13th of June, 1890
-“Think Just now that my life amongst (white) around here cannot be very comfortable. Intend to avoid acquaintances as much as possible.”

* In Heart of Darkness Marlow also finds life amongst the other whites rather unbearable and refers to the whites condescendingly as "pilgrims".
Saturday 28th of June
-“Danes join company.”
Monday 30th
-“To Congo da Lemba after passing black rocks long ascent … Bother. Camp bad. Water far. Dirty.
1st of July
-“V.[ery] G.[ood] Bath. Clear river. Feel well. 1st chicken. No sunshine today.”

* I noticed that in Heart of Darkness Conrad also sometimes employs simple one word sentences to show emotions or actions. 
Wednesday, 2nd July
-“Danes still in Company.”

*I thought this was interesting because in the Heart of Darkness, Conrad also comments on the presence of Danes.
Friday, 4th July
-“Saw another dead body lying by the path in an attitude of meditative repose. In the evening three women of whom one albino passed our camp … Mosquitos. At night when the moon rose heard shouts and drumming in distant villages.”
Saturday, 5th July
-“Today fell into a muddy puddle. Beastly. The fault of the man that carried me. After camp[in]g went to a small stream, bathed and washed clothes. Getting jolly well sick of this fun.”
Tuesday, 8th July
-“The country presents a confused wilderness of hills, land slips, on their sides showing red. Fine effect of red hill covered in places by dark green vegetation. ½ before beginning descent got a glimpse of the Congo.”
Friday, the 25th July
-“Harou lame and not in very good form. Myself ditto but not lame.”

Benjy's Rut

An event that provides closure to the story is when Luster diverges from the normal route and Benjy has a minor heart attach. Benjy's whole life has been centered around order yet chaos has always surrounded him. Benjy loves routines; he stays content with routines. He goes the same way to the graveyard every week, Dilsey always opens the stove for him to watch the fire, he watches the golfers with Luster every week, etc. Benjy would be happy living in his own rut but since Caddy left Benjy has been faced with chaos and confusion. First with the disappearance of Caddy and the arrival of Miss Quentin, next Quentin, and shortly after Father. In the book, Benjy's last blow-up and his quick return to complacency when his routine is returned to, symbolizes a chance at a "new beginning" for Benjy, a return to his life routine. With Miss Quentin gone, Jason worried about his "stolen" money, and Mother's hypochondria absorbing all her attention, Benjy will finally be left alone to live contently in his rut. This is also linked to the last day of the book being on Easter Sunday which references the resurrection and a "re-birth" or new beginning.